dr. t

I agree; I think I am reacting much more towards a tone - someone purporting to represent my interests in a patronizing fashion - than I am towards content or the general principle..

Some people thrive in cultures that are toxic to others.

I understand I'm a bit more sensitive than most to the nuances of language for professional reasons, but when you say that someone has an issue "that would cause them to say or do things when they are triggered that you may find offensive," your word choice, deliberately or not, exculpates the person whose behavior is in question. If you did not intend this, you should have said that certain actions "may act as triggers and cause them to behave offensively." Swearing at your TA (the example given above) is offensive, regardless or originating circumstances. And to put the discussion in this thread as you have, where there is no real indication that any of the factors you raise are in play, is similarly questionable. I'm not going to deal with each point you bring up, both for reasons of time and because most of them don't seem particularly relevant to any of the things being discussed here. But your example, that of a TA acting like a little fascist, is a useful point. If a person cannot, for whatever reason, handle someone with no real authority being overbearing and bossy without physical or verbal violence, they should never have been put in the classroom to begin with. They are not ready for it. And, as adults, it is their responsibility to make sure they are. Triggers and the psychological conditions that underlie their activation are incredibly serious things, and every TA and professor should treat those subject to them with respect, understanding, and kindness, but your posts here trivialize the concept while simultaneously infantilizing those so afflicted.

Were students in a class to have such disabilities, it is also incumbent upon them to contact the appropriate university resources, who in turn have a responsibility to create a proactive plan of action with the student and help both the student and instructor to implement it. An instructor may recommend such resources to a student, but is in no way obligated to accommodate a student who fails to utilize them. In other words, disability, visible or not, may explain bad behavior, but it does not excuse it.

Even better rule of thumb: if your prof wants you to do X, do X.

Yes, these are all higher-crime areas, though Allston isn't exactly safe. But Eastie is substantially worse than Dorchester, generally speaking. The Dot is fine near Savin Hill and down Dot ave to Codman Sq. You might also try Malden near the orange line, but that's been getting pricey. I really like http://www.universalhub.com/ for my local news.

Dorchester, Mattapan, Chelsea, East Boston, Everett. But "cheap" remains relative.

Only if you do it wrong.

I will be there for my 4th time.

No way to sugar coat it - your once and future POI sounds like a real piece of work. I would not apply to work with them elsewhere.

Do you have an old adviser at your UG/MA institution you can talk to?

You would be telling your prospective adviser you aren't going to listen to them and don't want to follow their advice. What do you think that does for your chances?

Well, it looks like you didn't listen to any of the advice you've already got. So what's left for us to say?

(1) I don't need spoken Dutch (honestly most people who speak Dutch also speak something else), but I can muddle through any given Dutch text with my German and Google Translate. (2) No, most of what I have is in Latin or Old French, but I do know that if I were to move into the 14th century, most of my primary sources would be in Dutch, ie. the writings of female mystics. (3) It's certainly a skill you will have to acquire and practice. (4) I'd say French and German, but there is a strong American interest in the region, so there's a good deal of English stuff.

I am, or thereabouts.

You are probably a great deal of fun at parties.

I'm not saying the troll knows it's a troll.

Y'all are being trolled.

As 5th year said to me when I made the same complaints, just wait until you get to the job market

Yes. Do not take a PhD offer that does not come with full funding. That means tuition, stipend, health insurance. Whether or not you can manage to support yourself and stay human (possible, but not probable), the people you will be competing with for jobs on the other end, who have full packages, won't have even had to worry about it.

I though I put my offer in there from OSU last year. TA-ship, 4 years (MA degree), $17k, does not include health insurance. The fellowship package is better.

I would wait, then, and work on getting a schedule that would allow you to attend. The quality of the education you will receive and the connections to faculty you can cultivate are more than worth the delay. Remember, how you go about this matters at least as much - if not more - than simply getting it done. I'm an alum of both the Extension School (ALB) and the Divinity School (MTS), and I'm currently in a PhD at another Ivy. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk specifics.

Yeah, no, I'm coming down super hard on this nonsense. People are allowed to be unironically happy, and talk about their success and the choices they have in this space. And many people who are just admitted to or are currently attending top-ranked programs got shut out in their first (or second) go-around. If you feel like their success is hurtful to you, that's definitely not their problem. No one here owes you their silence, and this post makes you sound like a petulant five year old. Grow up and get over it.

It depends on the degree of fit and the net difference in rank. Low difference in rank and high difference in fit? Fit is more important. Low difference in rank and low difference in fit? Probably fit. High difference in rank and low difference in fit? Rank. High difference in rank and high difference in fit? Probably rank.

Relevant link: http://www.theonion.com/article/report-today-the-day-they-find-out-youre-a-fraud-35133